Objective:
Solve the crystal structure of the sorghum 4-coumarate CoA ligase and investigate interactions between the enzyme and its bound substrates.

Approach:
This will be a joint effort between ARS, who has sorghum 4-coumarate CoA ligases in a protein expression vector, expertise to produce, and assay protein activity, and the Washington State University, who has facilities and expertise to crystallize and solve the crystal structure of the protein. Both partners will collaborate in designing the experiments and interpreting the results.